Desk set mounting



July 2, I946. P. c. HULL 2,403,083

' DESK SET MOUNTING I I Filed Sept. 21, i944 29 42 Z4 M I 10 .250- 35 i 23 2 4/ Z 40 36 I INVENTOR. 13 5 40 a 5 g] 442 37 4m Patented July 2, 1946 STATES PATENT F DESK SET MOUNTING Philip 0'. Hull, Janesville, Wis assignor to The Parker Pen Company, Janesvill'e; Wisz, a: cor-- poration of Wisconsin Application September 21, 1944', Serial No. 555,109

13 c aims. (or. 120-108)- The invention relates generally to so-called desk setsfor writing instruments, and more particularly to a mounting for securin a writing instrument receptacle to a base.

The general object of the invention-is to provide a novel desk set mounting for removably securing a; writing instrument receptacle to a base; most of the parts of whichmounting are made of plastic material and are of relatively simple form so that they may be readily molded and machined. Another object is to provide a novel desk set mounting for removably securing a writing instrument receptacle to a base; which mounting comprisesa socket member made of plastic material and adapted to befrictionally retained in the base by an expansive force" provided by a spring carried by the socket member. 7

A further object is to provide a novel desk set mounting for removably securing a writing instrument receptacle toa base. which mounting comprises'a' plastic socket member provided with a spring functioning to provide both a frictional I force to hold the receptacle in any position to Which it may be moved and an expansive force to'frictionally retain the socket member in the base.

Still another object is to provide a novel desk set mounting for removably securing a writing instrument receptacle to a; base, which mounting comprises a plastic socket member enclosing a spring "for expanding the socket member to frictionally ret'ain it intheb'ase, the socket member being constructed to provide sufficient strength to withstand the forces exerted upon it without being cumbersomely large in section.

It isalso an object to provide a novel desk set mounting for removably' securing a writing instrument receptacle to a base, which mounting comprises a'plastic socket member and a springoperated means to expand the socket member to frictionally retain it in the base, the socket memher being; so" constructed as to limit the expansion effected by said. means.

A still further object is to provide a novel desk set. mounting for; securing a Writing. instrument receptacle to a base,.which' mounting is of'inexpensive construction and firmly but removabl-y holds: the receptacle on the base.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing; in which:

Figure 1- is a perspective view, on a reduced 2. scale; of a desk set providedwith amounting embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a verticalsectional View, on an en larged-scale; through'the base of the deskset and showing the desk set-mounting in elevation;

Fig. d-isa View similar to Fig. 2 but'showi'ng a vertical section through the mounting;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the li-ne 4 -4 ofFig. 3'; and g Fig. 5- is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the lin-e5-5'of Fig; 3'. i I

Desk setsfor supporting writing instruments, such as'pencils or'pens, in a-convenient position on a desk commonly' comprise-abase to which is attached a receptacleto receive the writing instrument. The base is made in some'decorati-ve' form of 'a suitable material, such as wood; plastic or marble; and is provided with onejor more apertures tcireceive= a=' mounting for' sup porting the-writing instrument receptacle; The base may be provided with one or'more-such mountings, as desired, and such mounting-s are adapted to be removablysecured to the base: so that they may be interchanged'as desired.

As' shown'h'erein, the base, indicatedat W, is provided with a single aperture .to' receivea mounting, the aperture preferably comprising a bore H extending vertically through the-base an-d counterbored at its lower'end,'as at l2, to -pro vide a downwardlyfaci ngshoulder I 3': Therecept'acle for supporting the writin instrument Preferably comprises atub'ular member [5 of tapering external form conforming-generally to the writing instrument, which is here indicated-at llijthe front end of the writing: instrument l6 being adapted to be inserted in the, receptacle 15 to hold the writing instrument in place.

The receptacle I5 is so supported by the mounting that itmaybe moved into anydesired angular relationship to the base and ma'yibe turned in any direction so that the writing instrument It may be supported in the most convenient position. To' this end; the receptacle I5 has a swivel member 20 secured into its" lower end as by a threaded portion 21" and is provided with a ball-shaped'end- 22 secured in the mounting' for turning movement in all directions and frictionally retained therein so that the receptacle will remain in-any position to which itmay be adjusted.

The mounting, as mentioned above, is, adapted to be secured in the aperture I l in the base so that the receptacle. l5 will be firmly supported but yetin such a manner that the. mounting may be readily removed from the base. Preferably,

the mounting is frictionally retained within the 1 base in cooperation with the shoulder l3 formed by the counterbore I2, so that the mounting may be inserted into and removed from the base without the useof tools.

; 'Mountings of the character herein disclosed have heretofore usually been made chiefly of J metal parts, one of which is in the form of a l 1 socket member. Such a socket member has been formed so that the resilience of the metal provides a retaining force frictionally holding the socket within the bore l. The present construction is made chiefly of plastic parts toeliminate the necessity, to a great extent; of using metal.

As shown herein, the mounting comprises a socket member 23 made of plastic material and having an annular form. Thefsocket member 23 is adapted to'be inserted for a major portion of its length within the aperture H in the base, Wlth" nally, as at 25, against-theupper end of the socket member 2 3. 7 The upper end of the socket member is preferably cut away, as at 21, to provide clearance so that the. cap 25 will seat firmly against the end of the ;socket member. The threaded portion of the cap 25 preferably is of member is moved endwise in the aperture, pro-- vide a camming action which compresses the lower end of the socket member, as hereinafter described, to permit insertionand withdrawal of the socket member.

The socket member in the present instance is made of plastic material which-lacks the resilience and strength of metal, which'has heretofore been the material of which such socket members have been made. The present socket member is so constructed that sufficient strength is provided without causing it to be cumbersome in size, and the resilience desired to hold the socket member within the aperture is provided by spring means; Preferably, the spring pressure utilized .for this purpose is. derived from the spring '34 which frictionally holds the ball-shaped end 22 sufficient length to extend'slightly below the enlarged portion.24 of the socket, as shown "at 30, so that the cap will seat flatly against the base and provide a neat appearance. 7 V :The cap125 serves to hold the ball-shaped end 22fofthe swivel member within the socket mem- I ber, and;to thisend the 'cap' is provided with a spherically shaped central opening 3| snugly fitting on the ball-shaped end. 22. Thus the ballshaped end 22 may berocked in any direction In order whilebeingretai'ned under the cap. that the' receptacle I;may be turned to an angle where it lies'flat along the upper surface of the base, the cap is provided with a radial notch 32 extending from the spherical opening 3| to receive the shank portion of the swivel member i and permit 'the receptaclev to be turned downwardly'to lie along the base. i

As mentioned above,'the ball-shaped end .22 is frictionally held in place so that the receptacle will be retained in any position'to which it may I be adjusted. For this purpose, a washer or plug 33 is mounted within the socket member 23 and is forced against the ball-shaped end 22 by a coiled spring 34 within the socket member. The

spring 34 thus forcesthe ball-shaped end 22 in frictional engagement with the cap in the in its adjusted position, the spring 34 bearing'at one end against the washer or plug 33 and at its other end againsta means tending to cause expansion of the lowerend of the socket. 'Topere mit of such expansion of the socket, its lower end is radially slitted to provide a plurality of radially expansible segments. Preferably, two diametrical slots 48 are cutinthe lower end of the socket member to provide four segments, indicated at 4|. Thus,,the segments 4|, which. are

connected to each other through themain body of the socket member'23, are capable'of relative flexing movement to contract and expand when being inserted or withdrawn from the aperture ll.

The plastic material of which the socket mem ber I I is made does not have sufiicient resilience to firmly retain themounting within the aperture H, and to this end the supplemental force of the spring34' is utilized. Since the force of the spring 34 is exerted longitudinally of the socket member, and the expansion of the segments 4| is radial, means in the form of a cam member 42 is provided to utilize the longitudinal force of the spring for this purpose. Inthe present construction, the socket is closed at its lower end by a bottom wall 43, and'an angularly positioned internal cam surface 44 is provided which conbottom wall 43 so that the segments are free to spherical opening thereof, and sufficient force is 7 applied by the spring to hold the'ball-shaped end against turning except when the receptacle ismoved by the user.

The socket member 23 is frictionally held within the aperture II- in the base against removal except when desired; To firmly hold the socket therein,'it is provided at its lower end with a pe faces 35 and 31 angularly relatedto each other and to the periphery of the socket. vThe enlargeripheral enlargement 35 formed by a pair of surexpand under the influence of the spring 34 and to contract if pressure decreases.

In order to strengthen the socket member, a

central post 45 is integrally, formed therein, the

post 45 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 43 and being of substantially smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the socket member, Thus, an annular space is provided about the post 45 and the cam member 42 ismade in the form of a ring and is locatedwithin said annular space. The post 45 is of sufficient length so that it extends above the slits 4U,-t he latter, however, extending through the lower'part 'of the post 45. The post 45 thus integrally connects the segments which, as mentioned above, are also integrally connected by the side wall of the socket, so that suificient strength is provided forthe Thus, downward beer is firmly, held within zine; aperture: l I: anrkis of suflicient strength-without being; cumbersome provided ,tO restrict the; expansion of the. segments M to 18' point sufficient Whenethe: socket member is; inserted in the; base, tozhol'drit" therein butto prevent excessive:expansionwhenthe sockct; is removed? fromnthe base; To this end; the post #5: is made lsufiicientlysmallerx'in diameter than; the internal diameter of ring- 42 to permit the :segmental lower portions: of the: post: to; flex the desired extent, but thesexpansionofrsuch'por tionsi: will. be. limited by contactingther ring: $21 Thus the segments 41 will be. limited in: their; outward movement. The same: result may be at tamed-by limiting the downward movement: ofztth'e ring. 42' by;contactrwith;the= bottom wall 43.

In insertingxthe socket member in the aperturefll, theyangular-surface. causes: the segments .4 It to'ber compressed when: the mounting ispressed; downwardlyinto the aperture, and" the spring-,3! through. the cam 42: is thereby compressed. As ,soon as the. socket'member has b'een pushed downwardly to' the; point where: the :cap 25* seats; against: the upper. surface of thewb'ase, the peripheralenlargement35 onthe lower endof the socket inemberrhas reachedathe counterbored portion. 1.2 of. the aperturesorthatthe expansive force; exerted by the springs through the" cam member 42 causesthe segments 41 tospring outwardly into: engaging. relatiomunder the shoulder l3; This holds;the-wmounting'firmly:on thebase. For removal, the mounting is pulled upwardly and theperipheralcam surface-35 forces the segments 4] inwardly, against the; pressure of the springs; Thus; the peripheralrenlargement 35 is compressed sufiic-iently topass through-the aperture: Hi I t From the foregoing description,. it willtbeevident'tnat-l have provided a novel desk set/mounting adapted to be removably secured? in at base;

withymost of' theparts offthe' mountinginiade of plastic: material? and. of: relatively simpleform so that theynmay he readily molded: and machined. The lack of resilience in the plastic material is; compensated for by the use of the spring to frictionally retain the mounting in the base, the construction being simplified by utilization of the same spring both for such frictional retention of the device within the base and for frictionally holding the writing instrument receptacle in any position to which it may be adjusted.

I claim:

1. A desk set mounting adapted to be removably secured to a base comprising a writing instrument receptacle, a socket swingably receiving one end of said receptacle, a washer within said socket frictionally engaging said end of the receptacle, said socket being slitted in its lower end to provide a plurality of radially expansible segments for frictionally retaining the socket in an aperture in the base, a cam member within said socket for expanding said segments, and a spring interposed between said washer and said cam member to cause said washer to frictionallybear against said end of the receptacle and tending to cause said cam member to expand said segments.

2. A desk set mounting adapted to be removably secured to'a base comprising a socket, a writing instrument receptacle secured for swiveling movement in the upper end of said socket,

'6 the; lower: end; of said socket; being: radially ex?- pansi'ble: to frictionally' retain the socket 2 within an aperture'in the base, and. cam' means. includ.- ing; asingle-spring-for exertingla force tending to hold "said receptacle 1 against swiveling move-'- ment: andutending to: expand said :socket.

3-. A": desk setcmo'untin'g adapted to be remov ably secured to a'base comprising a socket, awrit ings. instrument receptacle mounted for swiveling movement in said socket; the lower endofsaid socket being-slitted to provid'eradi'ally expansible segments, said segments having internal cam surfaces extending at an angle to'axis of" the socket, a cam member mounted within said socketfor axialmovement and having a camsurface coacting with the cam surfaces-of said segments, and'a spring tending'to move saidcam member axially in a direction to expand said segments.

4. A desk set mounting adapted to be remov ably secured to a'base comprising-asock'et having an expansible lower end for frictionally "securing said end in an aperture in the base, a' writing instrument: receptacle. mounted for swiveling movement in: the upper end of saidsocket, and spring-pressed cam means for expanding the lowerend ofsaid socket.

5. A' desk set mounting adapted to be removably secured to a base comprising a socket made of plastic: material and slitted in its lower end' to provide;- a plurality of. radially expansible segments" for frictional'ly' securing said endin an aperture in the base, a writing'instrument-re ceptacle' mounted. for swiveling movement in the upper end: of said; 5 socket, and spring means for expanding saidlsegments radially to provide suf ficientresilienceto firml'ysecuI-e the socket inthe base:

6; A1 desksetmoun-ting adapted to'be removably secured to a: base comprising a socket-jmade of plastiormaterialand slitted-in: its lower end" to provide. alp'lurality" of radially expansible-segmentsfor frictionaliy securing said endin an ap erturerin the base, a writing instrument receptaclemounted. for swivelingimovement inthe' up per end ofrsaid; socket, said segments h'avingin' ternalcam surfaces, a plastic cam member mounted-withinisaid socket and. bearing against said: cam surfaces to expand said segments; and a spring.- within. said socketxbearing againstsaid cam member and tending to move said cam member in a direction to expand said segments; said spring thereby providing sufiicient resilience for said segments to firmly secure the socket in the base.

7. A desk set mounting adapted to be removably secured to a base comprising a writing instrument -receptacle, an annular thin-walled socket member made of plastic material, means at the upper end of said socket member for securing said receptacle therein for swiveling movement, the lower end of said socket member being radially slitted to provide a plurality of radially expansible segments, a spring within said socket for frictionally holding said receptacle in adjusted position, and means to compensate for the lack of suificient resilience in the plastic segments to firmly secure said socket in the base comprising a member within said socket utilizing the pressure of said spring for expanding the segments radially.

8. A desk set mounting adapted to be removably secured to a base comprising a writing instrument receptacle, a plastic socket comprising an annular side wall having an open upper end and a closed lower end, means for securing said 7 I V I receptacle in said upper end, a post integral with the closed lower end and extending upwardly within the socket, the closed lower end and portions of said side wall and said post being radially slitted to provide a plurality of radially expansible segments connected by said side wall and the upper end of said post, an annular expanding member within said socket and surrounding said post, and a spring bearing against said member and tending to cause expansion of said segments, said post by its integral connection with said segments providing reinforcement therefor to prevent excessive expansion of said segments by said sprin 7 I g g 9. A desk set mounting adapted to be removably secured to a base comprising a writing instrumentlreceptacle, an annular socket'made of plastic material, said socket-comprising a side wall having anopen upper endand a bottom wall closing the lower end, means for securing said receptacle in said open upper end, said socket having an internal cam surface connecting'the side wall and the bottom wall, and the latter having a centrally positioned post integral therewith and extending axially withinthe socket, said socket being diametrically slitted at its lower end to a height less than the height of said post to provide a plurality of radially expansible seg ments. integrally connected by said side wall and V the upper end of said post, an annular member surrounding said post and having a cam surface hold the socket inthe faces serving tdcam the segments inwardly in inserting the socket into the base" and withdrawing'it therefrom, and spring-pressed 'meanspo- 'sitioned within said socket tending to cause-radial expansion of said segments' g 11.-A deskset mounting adapted to beremovably-secured in a" baselcomprising an annular plastic socket adapted'to be'inserted in an aper-fture in said base, spring-pressed 'means'for yield ingly holding the lower end of said socket in' said aperture, a writing instrument receptacle having a ball-shaped end, said socket having an enlarged threaded portion at its upper end, and a cap for securing said; ball-shaped end in the upper end or said socket and having internal threads engaging the threads on'said enlarged portion, said spring within said socket and bearing against the 7 upper end of said annular membert 10. A desk set mounting adapted tobe removably secured in an aperture in a base with the aperture enlarged in its lower portion to provide a downwardly facing shoulder, said mounting comprising a writing instrument receptacle, an

' annular'socket'made of plastic material, means to retain said receptacle in the upper end of said cap when; secured to said socket abutting theend of said socket andiextending slightly belowsaid enlarged"portion to set firmly on said'base. I

12. A desk setmounting adapted to be removably secured to a base comprising a'writing instrument receptacle, a'plastic'socket for saidreceptacle comprising anann'ular side wall, a bot tom wall, and a centrally located post providing within said socket an annular space, said bottom wall and the lower portions of said side wall and saidpost being radially slitted to provide a plurality ofradially expansible-segments, an'annular cam "member mounted in said annular; space and having a, camming engagement with said side wall to effect expansion of said segments, the segmental portions of said post being adapted to expand into engagement with said cam member to limit the expansive movementof said segments. 13. A desk set mounting'adapted to be removably secured to a'base comprising a plastic socket slitted in its lower end to provide a plurality of radially expansible segments for frictionally securing said end in an aperture in the base, a writing instrument receptacle mounted for' swiveling movement in said socket, a longitudinally movable sprin'g-operated cam member-for expanding said segments radially, and means to limitl'the PHILIP c; HULL. 

